Includes not-for-profit corporations and public television or radio corporations in the definition of business entity; allows such entities to claim the newspaper and broadcast media jobs tax credit.
Establishes the NY digital choice act requiring social media companies to provide covered users with a copy of the covered user's social graph at the request of the covered user; defines terms; provides requirements for the interoperability of covered users' data; grants the attorney general the authority to promulgate rules and regulations and enforce such provisions.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires the state division of budget to create and maintain a public online database listing all projects funded in the state budget. The database will display the dollar amount allocated to each project and identify the legislators who requested the funding, including funds given to private organizations that are not currently required to disclose their funding sources. The information must be updated every year when the state budget is passed and made available on the division of budget website. This change directly affects the transparency of state spending by making financial details and legislative connections accessible to the public.
Establishes the incentive evaluation act; creates the incentive evaluation commission to at least once every four years evaluate each incentive provided by the state and report to the governor and the legislature on their effectiveness and provide recommendations relating thereto.
Maddy summaryThis bill updates reporting requirements for lobbyists working with small nonprofits that lobby government. It raises the financial threshold for mandatory reporting from $5,000 to $10,000 annually for 501(c)(3) nonprofits (starting in 2026), while keeping it at $5,000 for other lobbyists. Nonprofits exceeding these thresholds must file bi-monthly reports detailing lobbying spending and pay a $200 registration fee, with reduced fees for those under the limit. The bill also requires clients (nonprofits) to submit semi-annual reports if they spend over $5,000 (or $10,000 for 501(c)(3)s) on lobbying. These changes aim to clarify and adjust transparency rules for smaller lobbying entities.
Maddy summaryThis bill allows the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation to enter into agreements or easements on state-owned reforestation lands to help connect renewable energy projects located outside those areas to the power grid. The legislation ensures that any such agreements will not disrupt the primary purposes of the reforestation areas, such as conservation and timber management. All agreements made under this authority must be recorded and made publicly available on the Department's official website. The bill takes effect immediately upon passage.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires New York public schools to provide plant-based food options upon request by a student or their parent/guardian. Schools must offer these meat-free alternatives (defined as USDA-recognized meat substitutes) at no extra cost compared to standard meals, and include this option in all food service descriptions. The policy applies to every meal or snack the student participates in, while allowing students to choose non-plant-based options if they prefer. It does not mandate schools to offer plant-based meals to all students, only to those who specifically request them.
Requires a board of elections to establish at least one ballot drop-off location in its jurisdiction; requires the ballot drop boxes to be placed 45 days before the election.
Maddy summaryThis bill updates the Freedom of Information Act to establish specific deadlines for government agencies to respond to public records requests. It requires agencies to provide records within 5 business days, deny requests in writing, or acknowledge receipt with an estimated completion date. The law sets progressively shorter response timeframes starting in 2029, ranging from 180 days to 60 days depending on when the request is made, with exceptions for cases involving federal law conflicts, safety concerns, or extremely large volumes of records. Additionally, the bill mandates that agencies accept and respond to requests via electronic mail when possible and requires all state agencies with websites to allow online submission of records requests.
Enacts the "beauty justice act"; provides for the regulation of ingredients in personal care products and cosmetics; prohibits the sale of personal care products and cosmetic products containing certain restricted products.
